Its story was previously made into a Twilight Zone episode.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (31 October aka Halloween) is The Box, the underrated sci-fi thriller from cult writer-director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko).
The 2009 film is based on the short story ‘Button, Button’ by Richard Matheson (Duel, I Am Legend), which was previously made into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
Kelly’s take on the story stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a ’70s suburban married couple in the States with a young son who are under financial strain.
One day, however, a mysterious stranger (Frank Langella) shows up at their house with a box and a sinister offer – one which, though frightening, could alleviate their money woes.
“If they press a button in the box, someone they do not know will die, and they will receive one million dollars,” a plot synopsis reads.
While it earned mixed reviews upon release and was not a box office hit, we’d argue The Box deserves a revisit.
This is thanks to its gorgeous cinematography, its unsettling mood, its haunting story and its memorably dark ending.
The Box is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 9pm. It is also available to stream on Plex.
Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:
Scream – Film4 – 9pm
The very good if confusingly titled fifth entry in the Scream franchise starring Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.
Van Helsing – ITV4 – 9pm
Famed monster hunter Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes.
While not well received upon its release in 2004, Van Helsing has gone on to be a bit of a cult favourite in some quarters.
R.I.P.D. – Comedy Central – 9pm
Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds are undead detectives in this 2013 comic book adaptation.
Highlander – Legend Xtra – 9pm
“There can be only one!”
Jude – BBC Four – 9.20pm
Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet headline this solid movie version of Thomas Hardy’s brilliantly devastating novel.
Freddy vs. Jason – DMAX – 10pm
Two legendary horror villains face off.
Arachnophobia – MTV – 11pm
The excellent 1990 horror comedy that made a generation terrified of spiders.
The Omen – BBC2 – 11.05pm
This classic ’70s horror about an adopted boy who is more than meets the eye recently got an equally good prequel titled The First Omen.
Jeepers Creepers – Legend – 11.15pm
In this early 2000s horror, two siblings (Gina Philips and Justin Long) in college are pursued by a demonic serial killer called The Creeper.
Enys Men – Film4 – 11.15pm
This 2022 experimental British horror about a woman alone on a Cornish island boasts tremendously moody, tactile filmmaking.
Howl – Legend Xtra – 11.15pm
Another British horror, except this time from 2015 and following passengers on a train who must band together to survive after being attacked by a werewolf.
Hellboy – ITV4 – 11.35pm
Ron Perlman is the titular, heroic half-demon in writer-director Guillermo Del Toro’s excellent comic book adaptation.
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